Benefit sanctions up, hardship assistance payments down: What the latest social welfare data tells us
Sanctions for people not meeting benefit requirements up 133%.
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Latest from Social Welfare
‘Mean-spirited’: Labour attacks Govt decision on hardship assistance for sanctioned beneficiaries
MSD recommended beneficiaries on non-financial sanctions have access to hardship payments.
Early data shows most beneficiaries with obligations meeting requirements
Almost 6000 have received red or orange warnings.
‘A tough time for New Zealanders’: Jobseeker benefit numbers jump 12% in a year
Govt says numbers will get worse before they get better.
$1.2m per apartment: New Kāinga Ora build part of billion dollar scandal, developer says
Ockham Residential developer says cost of public housing builds is national embarrassment.
Kāinga Ora board member slams Bill English review in resignation letter
Philippa Howden-Chapman served on Kāinga Ora’s board for six years.
PM 'not fully up to speed' on incident involving Aussie diplomat's partner
PM says what happened in Wellington is a matter for the police.
Nicola Willis’ passion project: What does the Social Investment Agency do?
The minister's commonsense approach: 'prevention is better than cure'.
Two years, little action: Slow progress on child safety reforms years after Malachi Subecz's murder
Two months since a scathing report, there is no update on how to better care for NZ kids.
Letters: Child poverty is a social and economic disaster
OPINION: 'Why don’t we have a war on poverty instead of building bigger prisons?'
The $3b child poverty price tag: Why the minister's not writing that cheque
Official advice shows it would cost $3b a year to meet the child poverty goals.
Govt wants jobseeker beneficiaries cut by 50k, but forecasts are up 11k
The Government says it wants beneficiary numbers to fall, but they continue to rise.
Tenant fights for Kainga Ora to pay after home damaged in storm
Tenants of State homes damaged in floods say they should have been told the house was on a flood plain because of the potential risk.
Beneficiaries first in queue: New targets for $1.1 billion employment support
Govt believes much of the funding for schemes should be reserved for beneficiaries.
Letters: A spreadsheet Govt with little humanity; bring back traffic cops
OPINION: 'That is the only way this Government is going to lower the crime rate.'
Audrey Young: Government on track for post-Olympic policy sprint
OPINION: Also in this week's wrap – the PM's embarrassing benefit blunders.
Benefit traffic light system: What you need to know
Government announced new traffic light scheme, additional system changes.
Govt opponents slam benefit sanction traffic light system
PM says there'll be “no more excuses” for beneficiaries not knowing their obligations.
'No more excuses' – Govt announces beneficiary traffic light system
The PM outlined the harsh new penalties under a traffic light system in Auckland today.
Government: Households living in emergency housing down 32% over six months
'Auckland has experienced one of the biggest improvements.'
Editorial: The working poor - two-income families and elderly turning to food banks and handouts to survive
OPINION: New people going to food banks need support - not condemnation.
Social investment to be at heart of Government
The Government wants departments to share more data.
Oranga Tamariki Act: Doctors warn removal of section 7AA could lead to worse health outcomes for Māori kids
Doctor: 'Lots of things just go better' with 7AA.
July 31 tax cuts: How much will you get back?
Changes to four different types of taxes and benefits start from July 31.
'We used the pools for a hot shower': Families go months without power because of non-payment
Households choose between heating and cooking to keep the power on.
Charities face rising demand from pensioners as living costs hit home
'Like most elderly, I don’t want to feel like I’m a burden to anyone.'
How much Japanese-owned top 10 commercial builder made from NZ in latest year
First job: A landmark 57-level luxury tower between Commerce and Gore streets.
Kiwi killed in California robbery and UK election | Focus Morning Bulletin July 4, 2024
In today’s headlines with Chereè Kinnear, New Zealand tourist tragically killed in a California robbery, the Government’s plans for the housing market and voting to open in the UK.
New requirement for job seeker beneficiaries kicks in
Rule change part of Govt's plan to reduce number of people getting dole payments.
Casketeer Kaiora Tipene says Winz funeral grant process is archaic, lacks mana
A funeral director says it’s time for a review of the system as it’s not fit for purpose.
The $2b social housing cliff no one is talking about
The social housing sector is blighted by a fiscal cliff that creates haves and have-nots.
More than 40 Auckland boarding houses operating illegally
Issues include gang-affiliated guests, fire safety breaches, and challenging owners.
Inside a $2 billion pay-equity debacle
The union says many care and support workers are back to square one.
Russian women to get full NZ pension after overseas ones stopped by invasion
One of the women said the pension reduction was having an acute effect on her household.